Latham Farce

Hanson’s political relationships never last long, but most of them have at least survived until lunchtime.

Not so her blockbuster alliance with Mark Latham, which spectacularly imploded on Wednesday morning at a time most teenagers are still in bed

Hanson’s office had unequivocally told Studio 10 the previous day that she and Latham would be coming on the show to discuss his new role as NSW leader and future state MP. The interview was locked in, promoted and referred to throughout the show.

Then, just minutes before it was meant to be broadcast live, chaos erupted. Hanson was there but Latham, unequivocally, was not.

With no forewarning Latham had simply done a runner. Where was he? Hanson didn’t know? What was he doing? Hanson couldn’t say.

Here was a leader literally in the middle of showcasing her star candidate to the nation and he had gone AWOL. Hanson ended up doing the interview next to an empty chair. Even for a party as used to rogues as One Nation it was more than embarrassing. It was excruciating.

And yet it was to get even worse. At precisely the same time as Hanson and her minder were either baffled by Latham’s whereabouts or trying to cover them up, he was actually spotted by members of the studio audience at the café next door – just metres away.

Now it had become a farce of pantomime proportions. As Hanson feigned ignorance as to the whereabouts of her star candidate the crowd could have literally pointed and shouted: “He’s behind you!”